Limitless

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Limitless

PG-13

Released Mar 18, 2011

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Popcornmeter

68%

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201 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

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Critics Consensus

Although its script is uneven, Neil Burger directs Limitless with plenty of visual panache, and Bradley Cooper makes for a charismatic star.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Every generation gets its Boiler Room.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 9, 2023

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Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Paradoxically absorbing, yet cliched and empty, this power-based New York story is a bit of an entertaining thrill ride, probably far more popcorn-engrossing than it deserves to be...

Rated: C+

Aug 15, 2013

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Philip French

Guardian

[An] ingenious, extremely violent thriller...

Mar 28, 2011

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its science fiction premise about the enhanced drug has a gripping start, but it never breaks its limits and loses the dose of suspense when it frequents common places that, as a side effect, make it terribly dull. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 11, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Limitless is frustrating because there are plenty of compelling ideas at work here, but they’re dumbed down by a screenplay that isn’t capable of being as intelligent as its central character.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 31, 2023

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Although somewhat limited by the story and, noticeably, the budget, the boundless enthusiasm of its star stops any dullness setting in.

Feb 15, 2022

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Julian Rex M

Lazily written and unevenly directed, Limitless fails to take advantage of its skilled leads, instead settling for a mediocre action/drama crippled by a troubling lack of substance.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Frans B

Neil Burger made a good one here. The directing and cinematography is something else. Cooper in character is always extraordinary. A real "what if...?", entertaining and thought provoking. Enjoyable enough to keep watching

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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Lucas M

It is a good movie, but the ending give you the sensation of emptness, something like "using drugs it's worth the risk". Yet, overall, it's funny to watching for once.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

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Shawan S

This film is like a brain boost, similar to drinking a Red Bull—only instead of getting wings, you get to see Bradley Cooper looking ridiculously good while he outsmarts everyone around him. Honestly, how does he pull that off? Is it the magic pill, or is it just Bradley being his amazing self? Either way, I’m totally in!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Sean M

Great movie and plot. I’ve seen it many times and would recommend. I knocked it down a star due to Di Zero being in it, giving his same arrogant performance like he always does. Other than that, totally awesome flick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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Nick B

Entertaining movie and the concept was solid except they had a few jump the shark moments, and some pretty significant plot holes. Very close to being a very good movie but it is worth watching you won't regret spending the time to watch this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

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Neil Burger

Director

Bradley Cooper

Eddie Morra

Robert De Niro

Carl Van Loon

Abbie Cornish

Lindy

Anna Friel

Melissa

Andrew Howard

Gennady

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Synopsis

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

Director: Neil Burger
Producer: Leslie Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh
Screenwriter: Leslie Dixon
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Many Rivers, Boy of the Year
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Thematic Material Invol Drugs|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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